A Comparative Study to Assess Illness Perception, Quality of Life and Self Care among Men and Women with Diabetes Mellitus Visiting for Follow Up in a Selected Hospital at Bagalkot, City

Background of the study: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) has been increasing all over the world in past 30 years, and particularly higher prevalence is seen in the Indian Subcontinent. India is a country with second highest number of people with type 2 DM. Apart from regular medications, there are other beneficial activities that can help in improvement of quality-of-life among patients with diabetes and can lead to better prevention and control of imminent complications such as diabetes. Aim: To find the comparison on illness perception, quality of life and self care among men and women with diabetes mellitus Patients. Materials and methods: Total 200 samples were selected by purposive sampling technique. 88 women and 112 men were selected. The standardized tools were used to assess the quality of life, self care and illness perception level. The data was collected for a period of 8 weeks in a selected hospital OPD. Unpaired t test and chi square test was used to compare the variables and find the association respectively. Graphs and tables were used to describe the data collected by the samples. Results: The study results reveal that majority Male (71.59%) of the DM patients were in the group of low experimental threat, Female (32.14%) of the DM patients were in the group of high. Male (29.54%) of the DM patients were in the group of high, Female (27.67%) of the DM patients were in the group of low experimental threat. Male (29.54%) and Female (18.75%) of the DM patients were in the group of moderate. Regarding quality of life shows that majority Male (73.32%) and Female (64.77%) of the DM patients were in the group of good category. Male (21.42%) and Female (28.40%) of the DM patients were in the group of vary good category. Male (6.25%) and Female (6.81%) of the DM patients were in the group of moderate. In regards of self care it shows that the majority Male (65.17%) and Female (55.68%) of the DM patients were in the group of good category. ...